Unread Questions for 4/11/08

Hey Guys,

Any of these guys dropable? Thinking of picking up Johnny Damon with my #1 WW priority, or Adam Laroche, Evan Longoria, Jack Cust or Jacobs. I’m weak on IF as you can see but the rest of my team is good but could use a good UTIL guy.

Mark Ellis(Oak – 2B)

Hank Blalock(Tex – 3B)

Stephen Drew(Ari – SS)

Pedro Feliz(Phi – 3B)

Khalil Greene(SD – SS)

Kelly Johnson(Atl – 2B)

Thanks,Calvin

Hey Calvin,

All of these players on your team have some value and don’t quite fit the criteria of droppable in a 12 team league. However, Damon, LaRoche, Jacobs, and even Longoria should more than likely NOT be on the waiver wire in a standard 12 teamer, especially one that uses a corner infield spot. If I had to choose someone to drop, it would be Ellis, as last year (19 HR 76 RBI) was the first time he’s ever hit more than 13 homers and driven in more than 52. Ellis has also hit for an inconsistent average throughout his career and doesn’t steal any bases. Unlike Kelly Johnson or Stephen Drew, Ellis has very little upside and plays for a team that struggles to put up runs. Depending on your needs, LaRoche (HR, RBI) or Damon (R, SB) are solid pickups. Although Ellis is certainly a serviceable option, I’d definitely make one of these moves and possibly both if there’s someone else on your roster who’s expendable.

Zach Steinhorn, MLB.com

I’m a west coaster and watched Jonathon Sanchez’s completely dominant performance against the Padres on Wed night. He definitely looks like a high risk guy, but his K’s are hard to ignore. Control has been a problem in his past, but he’s looking better this year (18K/4BB). He was hit badly in his first outing vs. the Brewcrew, what do you see as his potential? Obviously, he’s not going to get many wins in SF, but are his Ks worth the risk as a PoDer?

Fat Dad in Seattle

Hey Fat Dad-

I like Sanchez a lot, and I would’ve said that even before his masterful performance against the Padres April 9. The guy struck out 62 batters in just 52 innings last season, which translates into just under 11 K’s per nine innings (to put that into perspective, reigning NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy’s K/9 ratio was roughly 9.7 in 2007). Certainly, he still gives up too many hits, which means he isn’t keeping the ball down in the zone consistently enough and could end up looking a lot like Baltimore’s Daniel Cabrera at times. That said, location can be taught (or at the very least improved), while velocity is much more of a “either ya got it or ya don’t” asset in a pitcher. I’d roll the dice on Sanchez, and decide on a weekly basis whether or not he’s a smart start. There’s too much talent there to pass on him in good conscience.

Corey Gottlieb, MLB.com

Hey guys-

I’m the commish in a points league that has no moves limit and no innings pitched limit. There have been a couple of people that are complaining that I am “Pitch-or-ditching” too much. I work late, so I am up when the rosters change days and jump on the probable pitchers for the next day, not giving the other mangers to get those pitchers. Now there have been a couple managers complaining that it “isn’t fair”. What do you guys think about it? Do I change anything? If so what are some suggestions to change it? Thanks, Phil in Utah

Hey Phil,

Yes, this is a classic case of “pitching-or-ditching” a.k.a. “streaming.” Although your league mates might question your “fantasy ethics,” they can’t accuse you of violating any rules, since none were set regarding this topic.

I don’t like streaming because it diminishes the importance of your draft, not to mention the fact that it is ethically infuriating. Of course, you still don’t wield a major competitive advantage against your opponents. I don’t know what your waiver wire looks like, but you’re probably adding No. 3, 4 and even 5 pitchers, many of whom do more damage than good in fantasy. Accumulating more pitchers helps you rack up more points for strikeouts and wins, but it can also burst your ERA and WHIP bubbles, dramatically decreasing the likelihood of acquiring points in those categories.

As much as I dislike streaming, it shouldn’t be banned in your league unless it is a unanimous decision. As I’ve already said, the strategy was assumed to be acceptable before the season considering there were no pitching limits. Even if you were to get the majority of owners to set rules to mitigate streaming, it would be a disservice to those still supporting it. Those owners shouldn’t be punished for continuing a legal practice just because other owners discovered that they didn’t like it after the season began. Think of the precedent that would be set with changing rules mid-season without unanimous support. It would open the floodgates for other rules changes and those owners hurt by the streaming rule could justify making other, non-unanimous changes.

However, if you are strident in wanting to alleviate this situation, contact every owner in your league and get his or her opinion regarding the situation. Then, if you are set on making a change, set rules monitoring the maximum number of games started during a week/season, maximum number of innings pitched during a week/season or both. Those are rules by which everybody can play.

Kyle Stack, MLB.com

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9 Comments

There’s nothing preventing them from doing what you’re doing- sounds like sour grapes to me. As Cory says, you play within the rules set out by your league. If they don’t like it, they can consider getting everyone to agree on a max. innings limit or whatever for next season. It kills me how many people in fantasy leagues complain about people who make smart moves throughout the year. If they want to only deal with their roster once a week, they should wait for football season. -Dan in L.A.

Calvin, I would drop Ellis and Pedro Feliz immediately for Miek Jacobs and Evan Longoria. Jacobs will drag your average down a little, but his power is legit and Feliz is a low average anyway. Jacobs is also producing right now.

Longoria is starting tomorrow so as you read this he may be gone, but he would be a great stash behind Jacobs. If he comes out hitting, he will stay up and could be a great player for the remainder of the year.

Thanks Zach and Martin,
Sorry I didn’t describe my league, believe it or not it’s a 14 team, 5×5, mixed, non-keeper, no CI or IF. I got Longoria but dropped Blalock before I read your answers (yes, I felt the pressure when I found out he was being called up, I clicked and typed as fast as my fingers could take me to pick him up). The way Blalock is playing I’m sure I can probably pick him up again. Damon is a lock for Ellis and I’ll probably drop Jon Rauch and pick up Mike Jacobs or Laroche. Thanks so much.

My next question is: Luke Scott, Kubel or D. Barton?

Casey adds a whole new dimension to the show, funny dude.
Love the blog!!!

Thanks Zach and Martin,
Sorry I didn’t describe my league, believe it or not it’s a 14 team, 5×5, mixed, non-keeper, no CI or IF. I got Longoria but dropped Blalock before I read your answers (yes, I felt the pressure when I found out he was being called up, I clicked and typed as fast as my fingers could take me to pick him up). The way Blalock is playing I’m sure I can probably pick him up again. Damon is a lock for Ellis and I’ll probably drop Jon Rauch and pick up Mike Jacobs or Laroche. Thanks so much.

My next question is: Luke Scott, Kubel or D. Barton?

Casey adds a whole new dimension to the show, funny dude.
Love the blog!!!

Thanks Zach and Martin,
Sorry I didn’t describe my league, believe it or not it’s a 14 team, 5×5, mixed, non-keeper, no CI or IF. I got Longoria but dropped Blalock before I read your answers (yes, I felt the pressure when I found out he was being called up, I clicked and typed as fast as my fingers could take me to pick him up). The way Blalock is playing I’m sure I can probably pick him up again. Damon is a lock for Ellis and I’ll probably drop Jon Rauch and pick up Mike Jacobs or Laroche. Thanks so much.

My next question is: Luke Scott, Kubel or D. Barton?

Casey adds a whole new dimension to the show, funny dude.
Love the blog!!!

Cool, I think thats a good move. If you have the flexibility, I would grab Jacobs. I love Longoria (drafted him late & psyched to see what he can do) but if he gets out of the gate slow, they might send him back down again in a couple of weeks. You have Feliz, so you have a back up for him.

I like Jacobs alot too. He could bat 260, but could reach 30 homers. (Maybe I’m biased there too since I drafted him for CI.)

Totally agree with Martin. I was under the impression that your roster size was larger but with no CI or MI, Ellis and Feliz should be dropped. I view Jacobs and LaRoche as comparable with LaRoche being a bit safer and Jacobs having some more upside. By the way, Jacobs is my CI in the Ron Cey 411 listener league:)

Thanks so much guys. I’m rollin’ with Damon, Longoria, Jacobs and keeping a close eye on LaRoche for when he heats up. I was also able to grab E. Encarnacion and dropped Feliz, Ellis, Blalock (who I couldn’t get back, oops) and Rauch.

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